Work Text:
What was left for Alexis to take off besides her own skin?
It was the end of July, and a heatwave had hit Germany. It was manageable, with cold showers and beach trips filling up her days. The summer sun had left her with a deep tan, her skin littered with freckles that Mika had taken to tracing patterns with. Her partner found it much more unmanageable, skin almost permanently reddened from not being careful with her sunscreen, even after Alexis’ constant insistence. She would only put it on when she offered to rub it into her back, lazing around on beach towels as Alexis massaged lotion into her skin.
She squeezed her thighs together at the thought before immediately ripping them apart, the heat from her skin almost sizzling.
Tonight, it was hotter than it had been in a while. Alexis had gone to bed in her regular nightgown, a short, silky pink dress Mika had gifted her, and loved when she wore. She had cozied up under their thin blanket, the fan turned on to its highest setting.
For the first time in a long time, they were on vacation. Though still in Germany, Alexis had been ecstatic, planning all the dates they never had the time to go on before. Mika had wrapped her arms around her waist, resting her chin on her shoulder to read the list.
“ Ice skating in July… Do you want to fly down south? I can get the jet ready by tomorrow. ”
Alexis giggled, turning around to bury her face in Mika’s neck. Long, thin fingers curled around strands of her hair, brushing it away from her face. Her other hand trailed down to her waist, rocking the two of them, miming a dance to imaginary music.
It had been easier, recently. Just being the two of them, alone with each other. They didn’t talk about what had happened, the months of separation until Alexis crawled back to her. Mika welcomed her with open arms and a loving touch as if nothing had changed even after everything had changed.
But it was easier. Alexis no longer felt like she was drowning on dry land, lungs closing up at the slightest disapproving noise. She didn’t shrink into her clothes, hanging loose off her frame like she was afraid of being seen at all. It seemed easier for Mika too, who was so much more open with her, wrapping around Alexis like a boa snake about to suck her life out, and Alexis would let her.
They spent their nights together, entangled in a mess of limbs and hair, the scent of roses filling every crevice. Alexis could tell you the shape of her blind, every curve and dimple. Mika had a birthmark in the shape of a crescent behind her knee, and a jagged scar in the center of her forearm. When she blushed, it would start from her chest, building up to her shoulders and neck until it reached the apples of her cheeks. Her muscles were rock-solid, her nails always cut short, and she kept a spare hair tie around her wrist in case of emergencies .
Alexis stretched an arm out to the empty side of the bed, running her palm over the warm sheets.
Mika would join her in a moment, she had said almost a long while ago, their silent dance ending with a kiss to her hand. Alexis had been patient for a few minutes, unwinding and dolling herself up before sitting pretty and put-together at the end of the bed, kicking her bare feet against the plush carpet. She had dimmed the lights and opened the curtains to let the moonlight in, along with what she hoped would be the night’s gentle, cooling wind.
Very quickly though, the heat became unbearable.
She put up with it for as long as she could, tugging at her gown and peeling silk off of her sticky skin. The lace details began to itch, her hair irritating everywhere it landed. She swept it over her shoulder, shifting around to tuck her feet beneath her. Alexis slumped against the bed, angling herself to be the focus of the fan’s breeze.
Beads of sweat rolled down her body, pooling uncomfortably on her chest and thighs. Whining, she arched her back and pulled the nightgown off, leaving her lying on top of the blankets in nothing but her underwear. Any plans she had in mind for when Mika would join her flew out of her mind as she tried to get comfortable, rolling over to lay on the cooler side of the bed, leaving the sweat-soaked sheets for Mika to deal with.
The heat didn’t stop, even as Alexis squeezed her eyes shut and tried to sleep, wave after wave of warmth rolled over her as if to suffocate her. Eventually, she gave up, accepting her fate of being baked alive alone in her bed, her girlfriend too busy with a last-minute meeting to send her off with any last words.
She groaned louder, hoping Mika would hear her suffering and take mercy on her.
There was no answer. The room felt like a furnace, and Alexis could picture herself as one of those little cupcakes she loved eating, curled up inside a baking tray as the batter bubbled under the heat. Maybe Mika would pull her out and cover her in raspberry frosting, fresh from the fridge and chilly on her skin. She could ask Mika to lick it off, the wetness of her mouth leaving a cooling trail behind.
She giggled in her pillow, dizzy from the heat and her own imagination.
“What are you so happy about?”
A freezing cold hand rested on the back of her neck, a full-body shiver running through her as she broke out into goosebumps. Mika’s hand lowered, stroking down her bare back and teasingly plucking at her panties.
Alexis kicked her leg up, knocking at Mika’s arm until she moved to more family-friendly territory.
“S’too hot, just get in bed.” Her words were muffled, but Mika seemed to understand, climbing into bed and throwing a hand over Alexis’ stomach.
Mika ran much colder than she did, something Alexis hated in the winter, but learned to love in the summer. Now, she would pull Mika closer, pressing against every inch of skin she could reach and enjoying her personal icepack.
“Le’s go ice skating tomorrow.”
“Whatever you want, Lexi.”